Gamesa and Iberdrola Jointly Resolve to End Their Strategic Agreement for Developing Wind Farms

Gamesa and Iberdrola each gave official notice to Spain's National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) that they have agreed to unwind their strategic alliance in wind farm development (1) due to the global economic downturn, which has substantially changed market conditions, and the companies’ respective strategies.

The strategic agreement, originally signed on 13 June 2008 and amended on 23 September 2009, envisaged a series of cross-linked options on some Gamesa wind farms in Spain and other countries in Europe, as well as the possibility of joint development and operation of wind farm projects in said areas.

Notwithstanding today's announcement, Gamesa and Iberdrola, world leaders in their industries, hope to continue working together in the future to bolster their position in the wind energy business, as they have done for the past 15 years in a range of international markets.

The strategic agreement was signed by Iberdrola Renovables, S.A., Gamesa Energia, S.A. Unipersonal and Gamesa Corporacion Tecnologica, S.A. (“Gamesa”). As a result of the merger by absorption of Iberdrola Renovables, S.A. (acquired company) by Iberdrola, S.A. (acquiring company), Iberdrola, S.A. became a party to the strategic agreement.

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Iberia Selects CF6 Engines for Its Airbus A330 Fleet

Iberia has selected GE's CF6-80E1 engines to power its fleet of eight firm Airbus A330 aircraft with an option for eight additional A330s. The engine order is valued at more than $260 million (USD) list price. Iberia has also signed a 15-year OnPointSM solution agreement for the material and services to be used in the maintenance, repair and overhaul of the CF6 engine. The OnPoint agreement is valued at more than $200 million (USD) over the life of the contract.

"The CF6-80E1 engine incorporates the latest technology advances that will bring Iberia improve fuel efficient, reduce emissions, and increase engine time-on-wing," said Kevin McAllister, vice president and general manager of Global Sales at GE Aviation.
GE's CF6 engines powering more than 10 models of wide-body aircraft, has established an unparalleled record of reliability and has compiled more than 360 million flight-hours in service with close to 200 customers worldwide.
Iberia is Spain's largest air transport group and the fourth largest in Europe.

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Mahindra Group and Eurocopter Sign MOU for Trade Partnership to Strengthen the Civil Helicopter Industry in India

Mahindra Aerospace and Mahindra Satyam - representing the aerospace manufacturing and engineering capabilities of leading Indian industrial house, the Mahindra Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a trade partnership with the Eurocopter Group and its Indian subsidiary, Eurocopter India. The partnership will be focused on manufacturing of sub assemblies, engineering and customization of civil helicopters and the joint development of specific market segments. Details of the scope and structure of the partnership will be decided in the coming months.

Noting that Mahindra is a long established and respected multinational group with great engineering and manufacturing competencies, Lutz Bertling, President and CEO of Eurocopter, pointed out that, "the synergies between our two companies will enhance our contributions to the Indian civil helicopter market."

Mr. Hemant Luthra, Chairman of Mahindra Aerospace and President and Member of the Group Executive Board of Mahindra & Mahindra, said, "We are delighted to work with the world's leading helicopter manufacturer to contribute to the growth of the Indian aeronautical industry and civil aircraft market. Eurocopter has a solid, long term strategy for the growth of the India market, while we are already creating a niche for ourselves in the fixed-wing aircraft and aero structures manufacturing space. We see this MOU as a significant step forward for both of us as well as the domestic aviation industry."

Vector Aerospace Signs Engine Services Agreement with John Hopkinson and Associates Ltd

Vector Aerospace Corporation a leading providers of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services informed about the signing of a service agreement between Vector Aerospace Engine Services-Atlantic, Inc (Vector) and John Hopkinson & Associates Limited, based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

The three-year service agreement requires Vector to provide John Hopkinson & Associates Ltd. with comprehensive fixed-wing engine repair and overhaul support for the Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) JT15D and PT6A series engines from its P&WC Distributor and Designated Overhaul Facility (DDOF) located in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Canada. The work performed in Summerside will be augmented by Vector’s four other North American satellite centres located in Atlanta, Georgia; Calgary, Alberta; Dallas, Texas; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

John Hopkinson, president of John Hopkinson & Associates Ltd., says, “We are very proud to be entering into this Service Agreement with Vector Aerospace.” John Hopkinson & Associates Ltd. is Canada’s oldest and largest aircraft brokerage and aviation consulting firm; having been in business for over 40 years. JH&A have facilitated the purchase or sale of over 3,500 new and pre-owned aircraft during that time period and continue to be an industry leader in providing both individuals and corporations with comprehensive service from the planning stages, right through to the completion of the transaction and beyond. The timing of this agreement coincides with the firm’s acquisition of 25 Cessna Citation Ultras purchased from Embraer.

GE Expands Smart Grid Portfolio, Extends its Reach in Ireland

GE apprised that it has finalized the acquisition of Ireland-based FMC-Tech, a leading provider of smart grid technology equipment providing real-time power line monitoring capabilities. The acquisition, first announced in May, marks another milestone in both GE’s dedication to smart grid excellence and its commitment to smart grid development in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

“GE is committed to innovatively solving our customers’ toughest challenges with more efficient, reliable and sustainable energy solutions,” said Keith Redfearn, general manager—Digital Energy for GE Energy in Europe. “FMC-Tech solutions are at the forefront of a new wave of technologies allowing utilities to remain competitive and capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century grid.”

FMC Tech comes to GE with utility experience and backing. ESB Networks has worked with the FMC-Tech team on pilot trials of their intelligent network sensors. According to ESB, the deployed system has proven to be highly effective in the areas of network monitoring and fault detection, delivering a significant reduction in outage duration.

GE has also demonstrated its commitment to smart grid development in Ireland by supporting Smart Grid Ireland (SGI). SGI is a group of international and local businesses facilitated by the Center for Competitiveness, focused on articulating the benefits of smart grid to promote sustainability and economic growth throughout the region.

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Quickstep Receives First Purchase Order for F-35 fighter Parts

Australian advanced materials company Quickstep Holdings Limited informed that it has received its first Purchase Order to manufacture parts for the international F-35 Lightning II, Joint Strike Fighter military aircraft, marking the first contract in what is expected to be a 20 year plus manufacturing program.

Under the framework established in the LTA, Quickstep is set to deliver the first F-35 Lightning II parts in 2012. The Company will supply a variety of F-35 components, including a large number of composite doors and panels.

The Purchase Order covers production of Group 1 components for the F-35 over the next 12 months, as scheduled under the Long Term Agreement (LTA) Quickstep signed with principal F-35 subcontractor Northrop Grumman, in February 2011. The value and scope of the manufacturing contract will remain confidential.

The contract was awarded after Quickstep successfully passed its Tollgate review set by Northrop Grumman, which required Quickstep to successfully demonstrate production readiness for F-35 Group 1 part manufacturing. This included the completion of all qualification requirements and the manufacture of a demonstration part using Quickstep operated facilities, tools, systems, staff and business processes.

Managing Director of Quickstep, Mr Philippe Odouard, said the receipt of the first Purchase Order was a landmark occasion for the Company, and represented an outstanding effort by the Quickstep team in successfully passing QPL .

"This order for the F-35 components represents Quickstep's first aerospace global supply chain manufacturing contract – a huge achievement for the Company following a long and arduous qualification process," Mr Odouard said. "Quickstep's LTA to manufacture Group 1 parts contemplates a 20 year production timeline, representing a long term income stream for the Company."

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Persico Teams Up with Structura/IQ Holding to Create a New Thermoplastic PBT Composite Material

Italy-based Persico has teamed up with Structura/IQ Holding to create a new thermoplastic PBT composite material. For the material the company impregnates thermoplastic PBT with fibres such as glass, carbon and basalt. The resulting thermoformable material is recyclable, environmentally friendly and made without VOCs or toxic emissions.

Persico supplies the material in coils ready for thermoforming. The pre-forms is heated at temperatures in excess of 250°C, put into a cold male/female mould and left to cool down under pressure. The high crystallization temperature of the PBT makes the forming process extremely fast making the line's production potential very high.

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World’s Only Rapid Prototyping System Able to Jet 2 Materials at the Same Time to Produce Advanced Composite Materials Launched

Objet Ltd., the innovation leader in 3D printing for rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing, today revealed the Objet260 Connex, a compact and attractively priced addition to Objet’s family of multi-material 3D printers. The Objet260 Connex is based on the company’s patented inkjet 3D printing technology – the world’s only rapid prototyping system able to jet 2 materials at the same time. This technology allows users to select from a large range of composite materials when building 3D models, such as Objet’s recently released ABS-like material. The system can also print a model replica made of up to 14 individual materials in a single print run.

Commenting on the new 3D printer, David Reis, CEO for Objet said, “The compact Objet260 Connex brings our high-resolution, multi-material 3D printing to new levels of accessibility for front-line designers and engineers who demand the highest quality prototypes and true-product representation. And all this in a system that is quiet, reliable and small enough to run in the corner of any office.”

The Objet260 Connex allows users to create prototypes containing distinct material elements, such as rigid walls with flexible, rubber-like joints or models combining transparent and opaque parts.

Gold River Productions Introduces Lightweight, Durable, All-Composite Sea Freight Containers

Gold River Productions, a developer and designer of patented and patent-pending renewable energy technologies and all-composite products, apprised about details of its latest innovation for the marine industry, the all composite sea freight container. The Company's sea freight containers can reduce the weight of today's standard products by up to 60%, are extremely durable, will not rust or corrode, and cost less to produce due to its lightweight, thermoplastic material.

Gold River's proprietary technologies and fiber-reinforced thermoplastic sheets are thermo-fused to a honeycomb or insulated foam core to create a superior lightweight, highly impact resistant and very durable sandwich panel. By using its custom-designed, high-speed panel manufacturing processes, the Company is able to manufacture sea freight containers using all-composite materials that are up to 60% lighter than those in use today. No volatile organic compounds are emitted during the process, and containers are recyclable at the end of their useful lives. Since the panels are thermoplastic rather than steel, they also have the ability to enhance border security imaging, screening and detection processes.

John Ohlin, president and CEO of Gold River Productions, Inc., stated, "Five years ago, our company began the research and development of a breakthrough concept in designing large structures, specifically, sea freight containers and pre-fabricated housing, using our newly developed materials. Now we are excited to move forward with our latest sea freight technology and containers that can help solve current economic and environmental challenges affecting the global marine industry."

Composites-intensive Hybrid Electric Airplane Developed by Siemens

Siemens AG, Diamond Aircraft and EADS presented the world's first aircraft DA36 E-Star with a serial hybrid electric drive system at the Paris Air Show Le Bourget 2011. The two-seater motor glider successfully completed its maiden flight on June 8 at the Wiener Neustadt airfield in Vienna, Austria. The aircraft was built by the three partners to test the hybrid electric drive concept. In the future, the technology, which is intended for later use also in large-scale aircraft, will cut fuel consumption and emissions by 25 percent, compared to today's most efficient aircraft drives.



Electromobility is now making inroads into the world of aircraft. The technology of the series hybrid electric drive is scalable and will be used in small and medium-sized aircraft and, in the medium term, larger planes. It will make aviation greener.

"A serial hybrid electric drive can be scaled for a wide range of uses, making it highly suitable for aircraft as well," said Dr. Frank Anton, the initiator of electric aircraft development at Siemens. "The first thing we want to do is test the technology in small aircraft. In the long term, however, the drive system will also be used in large-scale aircraft. We want to cut fuel consumption and emissions by 25 percent, compared to today's most efficient technologies. This will make air travel more sustainable."

The motor glider, which is based on Diamond Aircraft's HK36 Super Dimona, is the only aircraft of its kind in the world. It is the first to use a so-called serial hybrid electric drive, which has been utilized to date only in cars, as an integrated drive train. The plane's propeller is powered by a 70kW electric motor from Siemens. Electricity is supplied by a small Wankel engine from Austro Engine with a generator that functions solely as a power source. A Siemens converter supplies the electric motor with power from the battery and the generator. Fuel consumption is very low since the combustion engine always runs with a constant low output of 30kW. A battery system from EADS provides the increased power required during takeoff and climb. The accumulator is recharged during the cruising phase. "The serial hybrid electric drive concept makes possible a quiet electric takeoff and a considerable reduction in fuel consumption and emission," said Christian Dries, the owner of Diamond Aircraft. "It also enables aircraft to cover the required long distances."


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